Federal employees in Mississippi are back at work today. MPB's Jasmine Ellis gets reaction from Mississippi's congressional delegation.
The partial federal government shutdown is coming to an end. About 4,000 federal employees in Mississippi have been staying home or working without pay. That's according to the online political journal, Governing.
Mississippi Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith describes the temporary deal.
"It's a concurrent resolution to keep the government running just as it was before the shutdown," said Hyde-Smith. "Now we've got seven budgets that we have. Seven appropriations that we have to work on. I think that will easily be done. I think it will easily be passed."
Republican Congressman Steven Palazzo represents Mississippi's fourth congressional district. He says the new resolution will allow federal workers in South Mississippi to be paid.
"I actually welcome the deal," said Palazzo. "I know we've got a lot of federal contractors in South Mississippi, NASA contractors, and Coast Guard members who need the certainty and stability. A steady paycheck in return for the services they do."
President Donald Trump has been asking Congress to approve $5.7 billion for a border wall between the United States and Mexico.
Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson is the Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee. He represents Mississippi's second district. In a statement about the deal Congressman Thompson says, his party wants effective border security but will only agree on spending money for projects that will "actually make a difference."
Lawmakers have until February 15th to reach a permanent funding agreement.
